Art of the State

In the early 1960s, Alfred Preis had a vision for the arts in Hawaii. Best known as the architect of the Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor, Preis was also the first director of the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, which he led from 1965 to 1980. Preis dreamed of a public museum that would truly do justice to the state’s growing collection, which today includes some 5,000 pieces by 1,400 artists. His dream finally became a reality in November 2002, when the Hawaii State Art Museum (HiSAM for short) opened its doors at long last, eight years after Preis’ death.

It is an aesthetic experience just to cross the museum’s broad lawn and ascend its elegantly tiled stairs to the second-floor galleries. Now called No. 1 Capitol District, the grand site across from Iolani Palace was originally home to the Hawaiian Hotel, built in 1872 by King Kamehameha V. Upstairs, the exhibit—designed by University of Hawaii art history professor and gallery director Tom Klobe—unfolds in an inviting series of spaces defined by moveable walls, open areas and intimate viewing corners.

Along with making Hawaii’s public art more available to the public, HiSAM’s other primary focus is providing education for local youth. The museum hosts a range of school tours and activities catered to different age groups and areas of interest.

HiSAM is open free to the public Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with guided tours available. Call (808) 586-0900, or visit the museum’s website at www.state.hi.us/sfca/